Messi: Fan of Fabregas & Mascherano
Lionel Messi has called on Barcelona to sign Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fabregas this summer.
The European Cup holders have been linked with moves for Arsenal ace Fabregas and Liverpool midfielder Mascherano as they look to bolster their squad for the new season.
Arsenal and Liverpool are determined to keep hold of their midfield lynchpins and have warned off interested parties from making bids for the players.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has previously revealed his interest in the pair and Messi would be delighted to see both Mascherano and Fabregas make the switch to Camp Nou as they look to repeat their heroics of the Treble last season.
"We were spectacular last season and we hope that this term, we will be able to do the same, or at least repeat a little of what we achieved," Messi told Sport.
"We were surprised by what we did last season but if players such as those who have been mentioned in the press arrive at the club to strengthen the team, it would be even better because it is important to be stronger.
"I hope Mascherano can come and we can form a solid partnership. His qualities are always appreciated.
"The same goes for Fabregas. A good footballer like him who can contribute a lot is always welcome."

Pompey may lose Algerian pair
Redknapp bemoans Modric absence
Ancelotti coy on Aguero
Pulis - Technology is needed
Robinho close to return
Hodgson sympathetic for Duff
Brown discusses Ireland game
Moyes looking for the win
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 12 | 30 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 12 | 21 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 11 | 20 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 12 | 19 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 12 | 17 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 12 | 16 |
| 10 | Burnley | 12 | 16 |
| 11 | Fulham | 11 | 15 |
| 12 | Everton | 11 | 15 |
| 13 | Wigan Athletic | 12 | 14 |
| 14 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | 13 |
| 15 | Birmingham City | 12 | 12 |
| 16 | Bolton Wanderers | 11 | 11 |
| 17 | Hull City | 12 | 11 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 12 | 10 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 12 | 10 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 12 | 7 |
Paul Merson can't separate Bolton and Blackburn - but thinks Stoke will see off Portsmouth.
Cheating isn't on the rise in football, says Andy Gray, but officials do need more help to get decisions right.
Paul Merson expects Liverpool to beat 'Hollywood' Man City - if Rafa Benitez picks his best team.
The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.
Sir Alex Ferguson says Chelsea's five-point lead at the top of the league is not insurmountable.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Luka Modric's return is still some way off.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has refused to confirm whether the club have made a move for Sergio Aguero.
Man City boss Mark Hughes insists goalkeeper Shay Given is strong enough to cope with his World Cup heartache.